January 6th, 2012, 12:30 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: jim
Location: New Zealand
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): '09 NINJA Posts: 17
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Brake caliper pistons
Hi Guys,
I just went to change my brake pads as there was barely any meat left on the old ones. I tried to push the pistons back in after I removed the old pads but I can't seem to do it, even though everyone says they slide back easily!? Is it safe to spray some CRC or something to lube them up? I'm a complete newbie when it comes to bike mechanics so sort of just learning as I go. Thanks for any help you can give me! James. |
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January 6th, 2012, 05:50 AM | #2 |
IC2(SW)
Name: Kerry
Location: Pensacola
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.
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Spraying anything on them isnt gonna make them move easier, it will just clean them.
With your old pads in place, use a screw driver to push/pry the pads apart.. or a pair of reverse pliers work best. The only way I would say they move easy, is when the caliper is in your hand. Then they will push right in and squirt brake fluid out the hole |
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January 6th, 2012, 07:31 AM | #3 |
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With the caliper off the bike, put an old pad back in and after covering the caliper with something to protect the finish use a C-clamp.
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January 6th, 2012, 07:32 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Andy
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Also, remove the reservoir cover. It may help you push then in a bit easier.
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January 6th, 2012, 07:40 AM | #5 |
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January 6th, 2012, 08:13 AM | #6 |
CVMA #74 WSMC #750
Name: Nemesis
Location: On the track
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No need to take covers off and what not. Just use a industrial heavy flat head screw driver to push the pads/piston back.
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January 6th, 2012, 10:45 AM | #7 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Andy
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If the cover is on you're pushing against air when the fluid is trying to push back. Not like taking one cover off is that hard. Just two screws.
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January 6th, 2012, 11:51 AM | #8 | |
CVMA #74 WSMC #750
Name: Nemesis
Location: On the track
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Quote:
Not like pushing the pistons apart is that hard too. Like I said, get an industrial heavy flat head and push. Takes 1 second to do whereas taking the two screws and making sure brake fluid doesn't leak over and what not takes more than 1 minute. |
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January 6th, 2012, 12:26 PM | #9 |
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Am I the only one who doesn't find it hard to just push on the pistons with gloved thumbs? All I do is take the caliper off the bike, push them back in with my thumbs, and reinstall the caliper...
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January 6th, 2012, 12:50 PM | #10 |
CVMA #74 WSMC #750
Name: Nemesis
Location: On the track
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): All of them Posts: A lot.
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Yes, I used to do that but not now...I have sensitive thumbs.
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January 6th, 2012, 03:37 PM | #11 |
KThanksBye
Name: Kevin
Location: Orange County
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 zx636r Posts: A lot.
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You should change out the fluid too, then you can open the caliper ALL the way, flush it all our and put some dot 5.1 in it
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January 6th, 2012, 06:25 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org member
Name: jim
Location: New Zealand
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): '09 NINJA Posts: 17
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Thanks Guys, I got some clamps to push them back with. I couldn't get one of the screws of the reservoir cover off. The screw is now stripped, any idea how to get it out?
Anyway I got the brake pads on and went out to bed them in. I have Adjustable levers and now I need them on setting 5 - the furthest out - to be in a good position for two fingered braking. When I first got them, setting 5 was so far out I couldn't reach it with my fingers. Does this mean I need to bleed my brakes and top up the fluid? |
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January 6th, 2012, 08:28 PM | #13 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Andy
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Quote:
Try dremeling a slot into the head of the screw and remove it with a flat head. |
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January 6th, 2012, 09:59 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org member
Name: jim
Location: New Zealand
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OK thanks I'll give that a try, once I get a dremel that is. I was hoping that for once my motorcycling maintenance would go smoothly but I guess not!!
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January 8th, 2012, 01:39 PM | #15 | |
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Everything I've read says to use DOT 4 Here's a useful DIY if changing fluid is what you want to do. I'ma follow it during spring break when I upgrade the front to Galfer SS brake line, and put new fluid in the rear |
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January 8th, 2012, 02:14 PM | #17 | |
KThanksBye
Name: Kevin
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Quote:
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January 9th, 2012, 12:33 AM | #18 |
ninjette.org member
Name: jim
Location: New Zealand
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Well I did everything. finally bled the brakes BUT I don't know if I have done something wrong or not.
I've been for a couple or shortish rides since replacing the pads with Vesrah VD-250 J pads but they don't seem like a massive improvement over stock? I read that you should break them in with some strong braking exercises 10 or so times then let them cool and repeat. I took the pads out again at one point (for some newbie-ish reason) and even with the reservoir cap off the pistons didn't move back in easily.. Is that concerning? Do you think I should just let them settle in some more? This is my first motorcycle so I don't really have anything to compare it to which makes identifying issues a bit hard for me. Any help or insight would be much appreciated! |
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January 9th, 2012, 04:42 AM | #19 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Domagoj
Location: Rijeka, Croatia
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It is not concerning. If they are not siezed (you can spin the wheel), and if you can apply the brakes normally, it is all right.
Stock pads are very good. I don't think that significant improvement can be felt on the street. Maybe someone with more skill than me can feel it, though. |
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January 22nd, 2012, 09:47 PM | #20 |
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It's too early to tell on the pads. They have to break in
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